Mathias Ssonko crowned Rwanda champion
Mathias Ssonko of Uganda was crowned the 2018 Rwanda Genocide Memorial Champion last week. He scored an impressive 6.5/7 to record his first victory in Rwanda.
Mathias Ssonko was one of the four players that tied for first place in 2017 edition of the event. His score will see him gain an impressive 44 Elo points and increase his rating to above 2150.
IM Elijah Emojong v Mathias Ssonko
FM Harold Wanyama fought back well after a loss to Mathias Ssonko in round 5 with a last round win over FM Haruna Nsubuga. This was was enough for an outright second place finish with 6 points out of 7 games.
Mathias Ssonko v FM Harold Wanyama
FM Haruna Nsubuga ended in 3rd place with 5.5 points. He gained 19 Elo points to record a FIDE rating in excess of 2200 for the first time in his career.
CM Ben Magana who is the current Kenya National Champion obtained 5 points to end up in 4th position.
Mathias Ssonko v FM Haruna Nsubuga
Naftali Mwangi Wachira v Mathias Ssonko
Mary Ndagire and Victoria Nakirya were the best ladies in the International section. Ben Zimurinda and Fidele Mutabazi were the best local players in the same section with a commendable score of 4/7.
Open Section
Ivan Mugisha (UGA) was the winner of the 6 round Open event with 5.5 points. Samuel Were (UGA), Ben Cyubahiro (RWA), Mike Akabo (UGA) and Faruk Kizza (UGA) who all ended on 5 were in joint 2nd place. Happiness Mutete and Joselyne Uwase both of Rwanda were the best ladies in the Open section with both scoring 4/6.
The event attracted a total of 32 players in the International section and 52 players in the Open section. Federations represented included Burundi, India, Kenya, England, South Sudan, Uganda and host Rwanda.
Final standings for all sections can be found here – 2018 Rwanda Genocide Memorial.
Kasparov Chess Foundation Africa were the sponsors of the event.
Links
Recap of the 2015 Rwanda Chess Championship.
FM Kawuma wins the 2019 Genocide Open.
Ugandans dominate 2017 Genocide Open.
CM Kabera & Ms Ms Uwase are 2019 Rwanda Chess Champions.
Eugene Kagabo wins 2016 Rwanda Open.